HealthPartners receives grant to help reduce senior health risks

HealthPartners Health Behavior Group recently received a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to study the effectiveness of health prevention programs for the Medicare population. The programs are designed to help seniors better manage their chronic conditions (such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease), reduce their risk of falling and improve their physical and mental health.
HealthPartners Health Behavior Group recently received a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to study the effectiveness of health prevention programs for the Medicare population. The programs are designed to help seniors better manage their chronic conditions (such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease), reduce their risk of falling and improve their physical and mental health.

"Taking a comprehensive approach to health promotion and wellness improves individual health and reduces costs to employers," said Dr. Nico Pronk, Executive Director of HealthPartners Health Behavior Group. "This pilot will test whether those positive outcomes can be extended to the Medicare population as well."

The study will address multiple health risk factors that contribute to chronic diseases, including physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar, as well as under-use of Medicare's preventive benefits.

HealthPartners Health Behavior Group will provide study participants with health risk assessments, followed by tailored feedback reports to help them target risk areas and implement needed changes to improve their health. Participants will also receive health education, behavior change materials and health coaching.

The study will also provide the Department of Health and Human Services with the opportunity to examine the ability of its Aging and Disability Resource Centers, co-administered by CMS and the Administration on Aging, to link beneficiaries to health promotion programs in their communities.